Is BMW Connecteddrive Worth It?

Hello everybody.

What benefit does connectedDrive provide that I don’t already receive through Apple Car Play, which I use in my car for GPS, music, etc.?

I’m curious about your experience with it and whether you believe it’s worth renewing.

I paid $150 for the L package and am also from Australia. In my X3, I also have CarPlay. After using both for some time, I would advise against spending additional money on ConnectedDrive. You do have access to features like traffic updates, online tools, updated maps, remote supervision, and—most importantly—navigational guidance in HUD. You might wish to purchase that package if you consider any of those to be important. But I’ve found that Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze are all better at routing than the built-in maps now that I commute every day during rush hour, when better navigation routing can be useful. In terms of aesthetics, voice guidance, and HUD integration, I still prefer the built-in maps the best, but the routing is simply ineffective. I have recently stopped using BMW maps totally. CarPlay’s calling interface, which fills the full screen, is its only drawback. BMW has made many good interface choices, but sadly, a connection to navigation routing is not one of them. If only the routing was on pace with other major providers, I would love to use BMW maps and would gladly pay for them.

Why BMW Connected Drive Is Important

When considering a new car, its features can determine whether you decide to buy it or not. While BMW’s whole fleet is loaded with great features, today we’re focusing on the company’s Connected Drive Technology, which made its debut back in 2008.

In essence, Connected Drive is a digital concierge integrated into your car’s entertainment system that efficiently combines personal information with safety and security data. It makes it possible for your phone, your car, and you to integrate almost without any interruption. Here are a few of its salient characteristics in brief:

• Integration with personal assistants – Syncs with Google Assistant and Alexa apps so you can check your calendar on the fly.
• Voice commands – The technology enables you to perform a variety of tasks without fumbling with your phone or vehicle controls, such as choosing your favorite song or getting turn-by-turn directions.
• Vehicle Status – You can check the status of your vehicle from your phone using the linked drive app. No more wondering if you locked your car.
• Parking Info analyzes historical and current parking information to point you in the direction of that elusive open parking space.
• The App – Integrates with the corresponding phone app and lets you sync data like messages, locations, and other information directly from your phone. Stop looking for that amazing Thai restaurant you discovered earlier.

It’s important to note that all of this information is spread over multiple screens and must be accessed through various menus. Instead, Connected Drive disperses the essential information around the vehicle’s interior at several strategically placed locations according to what you are anticipated to require it for.

Even while this is by no means a complete list, the capabilities of the BMW Connected Drive are astounding. Check out this helpful graph from BMW: ServiceAvailabilityMatrix for a summary of the benefits this app can offer you, and don’t forget to swing by and give Connected Drive a try!

What does BMW ConnectedDrive cost?

All eligible BMW vehicles with the software installed are eligible for free registration with ConnectedDrive. For three years, most BMW vehicles come standard with it. BMW offers the majority of the Digital Services capabilities separately or as a trial since it understands that not all owners will want or require all of the ConnectedDrive functions.

The majority of these have different prices, ranging from PS1 for a one-month trial of real-time traffic data to PS79 for a map update for the My Journey system. BMW, on the other hand, offers four ConnectedDrive packages that range in price from PS59 to PS239 and run for a full year. As the price rises, each bundle includes more ConnectedDrive features.

Only BMWs with the most recent OS7 infotainment system and up receive Apple CarPlay for free, which may surprise some BMW owners. When their BMWs reach their third anniversary, some owners will still be required to pay up to PS265 for Apple CarPlay. In 2020, BMW vehicles finally offered Android Auto connectivity as an option, providing wireless integration to the vehicle’s infotainment system at no additional cost.

blazingdon

There is no better road where I live in New York, where I drive. Unless the navigation indicates a detour will take more than an hour, forget about it whether you’re using Waze, Google, Apple, or another navigation system.

BMW and Tesla have been the only vehicles with cloud connectivity for the past two years.

Learn more about IFTTT and explore the BMW’s amazing features. Of course, you have to be a techy gimmicky person.

BMW ConnectedDrive: What is it?

The next five years will see a revolution in auto ownership as more vehicles become connected and use implanted SIMs to connect to cloud-based servers.

BMW has been integrating 3G SIM cards with unlimited data roaming in six European countries, provided by Vodafone, into the telematics system of all new cars made since April of this year, making it the first automaker to do so on any significant scale.

BMW is now able to offer its ConnectedDrive system—a collection of services that includes constantly updated traffic information, concierge services, and a wide range of onboard apps—to nearly all of the cars in its lineup, if customers choose to add it as an option on their new vehicle. This is made possible by the embedded SIMs.

What does BMW ConnectedDrive accomplish?

You may use your Apple or Android smartphone, smartwatch, or even an Amazon Echo to control the BMW ConnectedDrive software. You can use it to plan your schedule, remember appointments, or schedule destinations before getting in your car.

With the help of BMW Connected, your smartphone effectively functions as a digital key to unlock and lock your BMW. Similar to a remote control, you can use it to lock doors, activate the climate control, or flash your headlights.

When does BMW ConnectedDrive end?

Select automobiles will no longer be supported for ConnectedDrive services starting in February 2022 due to cellular carriers’ phase-out of the 3G network.

Do trackers like BMW ConnectedDrive count?

Does anyone have knowledge of ConnectedDrive Remote Services? A secondhand M235i was my recent purchase. Although I am aware that BMW ConnectedDrive is not a tracker, I still wanted to be able to locate my car, and this feature (Remote Services) allows me to do so without being constrained by a 1.5 mile radius.

Everything is OK, and it was incredibly helpful when my house was broken into and my baby was taken hostage. I was unable to follow the car while it was moving, but once it stopped, I was able to find it, and the police were able to recover it five miles distant. I was able to retrieve my automobile entirely because of Remote Services. Time travel 2.5 weeks. My Android phone’s BMW ConnectedDrive app has been upgraded. I tried to find my car while I was at work. “Vehicle was too far away to establish location,” it reported. I briefly panicked, believing my automobile had been taken. When I was more composed, I downloaded Fake GPS to make my phone think it was near my residence. And there you have it, my automobile was found by BMW Connected. My blood was boiling, so I wrote BMW a series of stern emails. Still waiting for them to respond.

Even though BMW has all the tools and technology to assist the owner in recovering a stolen vehicle, they choose not to do so. I requested assistance from Emergency Services after my automobile was taken. The operator informed me that she could only find my car if I was actually in it. It is understandable why auto thieves favor BMW so much. BMW supports the theft of these vehicles.

Is My BMW a decent app?

The functioning of the apps is generally rather good; I’ve never had issues using them to check the condition of my car or to give it commands, with the exception of times when service is sporadic, but that is to be anticipated. I like that I can see the battery’s condition and when it will finish charging.

Is the BMW Connected app no longer available?

Customers in the United States will be able to download the My BMW App on April 12, 2021, for use on iOS and Android-compatible mobile devices; the My BMW App will completely replace the BMW Connected app by the end of June 2021. Since 1975, BMW of North America, LLC has operated in the United States.

Can a car be started with BMW Connected?

With the BMW Display Key and the BMW Connected App, you may remotely start your car. After turning on automatic engine starting in your driver assistance settings, you can easily maintain the interior temperature of your BMW by pressing a button.

What distinguishes the My BMW app from the BMW Connected app?

Every each generation of BMW apps has injected more technology into the driving experience, further fusing your personal life with that of your car. This generation was no exception. Except that the most recent premiere was meant to be a wink to the drivers of electric cars.

My BMW remote app enhanced their overview and broadened their operational range while the BMW Connected app started to enable remote access to car statistics, executing upgrades to the on-board software, or controlling specific vehicle operations. It provides direct access to service facilities, significantly improves plug-in hybrid and all-electric model functions (displays electric range, charging status, tracking of charging history, programming of charging in a time slot, etc.), and provides more practical use of maps and navigation (e.g. convenient vehicle location, sending routes from the app to BMW Maps).

How can my BMW ConnectedDrive be renewed?

Updating BMW ConnectedDrive: Instructions On the BMW website, go to the Accessories Update page. Utilize your BMW adapter cable to connect your computer to your car. The most recent BMW ConnectedDrive update can be downloaded. Open the app after completing the steps to complete the update.

What is included in the BMW Connected package?

You can utilize the BMW iDrive and ConnectedDrive features in models with the appropriate equipment to access wireless device charging, BMW Assist eCall, and an onboard Wi-FiTM hotspot.

Does the WIFI on the BMW cost money?

The BMW ConnectedDrive connectivity plan includes unlimited pleasure surfing at LTE speed among other features. You need a phone provider with wireless charging and at least the most basic Connected Package option to use this service.

Does my BMW app cost money?

The My BMW app is available for free download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and works with both iOS and Android devices. It serves as a new, universal interface with the car, giving information on the status of the vehicle whenever needed.

What mobile service provider does BMW use?

The first 5G linked automobiles in the United States and Magenta Drive for BMW were unveiled by T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) today. With unlimited 5G data to transform your car into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot and connect all of your in-car devices, as well as unlimited phone calling, the brand-new 2022 BMW iX and i4 are currently available.